Platform Securities and ShareGift Select 2017 Supported Charities

Platform Securities staff have voted to choose local charities to benefit from ShareGift donations in December.

ShareGift is a unique charity which specialises in accepting donations of shares and related cash entitlements. ShareGift will accept share donations of any size, regardless of value. From these donated shares, ShareGift generate funds to give to charities, guided by the suggestions of donors and supporters.

2017 has been a landmark year for ShareGift. February 2017 marked the surpassing of £25m being distributed to charities. In March, following the expansion of the its donation policy to include charities registered in Ireland, ShareGift announced that over £600,000 had been distributed to Irish charities including Community Foundation for Ireland and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. To date, ShareGift has donated almost £26.6 million to over 2,500 charities (www.sharegift.org) across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Platform Securities is proud to offer key support to ShareGift as their primary custodian, holding thousands of lines of stock on their behalf at any time and processing numerous share transfers for ShareGift each year. Platform Securities provide all their services to ShareGift free of charge. In recognition of this support, ShareGift has again extended the invitation to employees of Platform Securities to suggest charities to receive funds with a focus on local charities, small charities, and charities with a personal connection to members of staff. Charitable distributions, totaling £35,000, will be submitted to the chosen charities in time for Christmas with the Stroke Association receiving £10,000 and the remaining charities each receiving £5,000.

2017’s nominated charities are:

Edward’s Trust (Reg. Charity No: 1105370) is this year’s Platform Securities nominated Charity. Edward’s Trust offers a holistic family bereavement service supporting children, young people and parents supporting over 600 families every year across the West Midlands and surrounding counties. Throughout the year Platform Securities has raised over £18,000 via a sponsored abseil (in which CEO Nigel Reynolds, also took the plunge), sponsored runs, bake offs and raffles.

The Stroke Association (Reg. Charity No: 61274). The Stroke Association is the UK's leading charity dedicated to providing vital services and finding treatments to conquer stroke. Suggested by Employee of the Year aka Barry ‘Usingh Bolt’ Cheema. To date Barry has raised thousands of pounds by running 10 Marathons, 10 half marathons, 10 10K runs and a 24 hour race this year on behalf of the Stroke Association.

The Crescent Theatre (Reg. Charity No: 245054). A not for profit registered charity, offering opportunities to young people, the Crescent relies on donations of money or time to help meet the cost of running a city-centre theatre. After 20 years and thousands of hours of rehearsals and productions, the main stage is nearing the end of its life and will need to be replaced. Suggested by Nicola Rayner, Client Account Manager for ShareGift, who is assisting the Crescent Theatre in raising £25k as part of her CSR initiative.

Betel UK (Reg Charity No: 1081462). Betel’s mission is to bring long-term freedom and restoration to lives broken by drug and alcohol abuse by offering opportunities to transform their lives through peer-led, caring Christian community and skilled work. Suggested by Malik Amit, who regularly supports the charity through its peer led mentoring initiatives.

Birmingham Dogs Home (Registered Charity No: 222436). Celebrating its 125th year in 2017 Birmingham Dogs Home operates from two centres in the Midlands to rescue, reunite and rehome the lost and abandoned dogs from around the West Midlands and South Staffordshire areas. In 2016, they rescued over 3,200 lost and abandoned dogs. It costs on average £627 for each dog during their stay. Suggested by Samantha Marsden, one of the winners of this years “Excellent Customer Service” awards nominated by clients.

The Brainstrust (Registered Charity No:1114634). The only charity dedicated to brain tumour support in the UK the Brainstrust is a community led organisation that helps families, including children, across the UK to feel less alone, less afraid and more in control after they hear the devastating words ‘you have a brain tumour’. The Charity has support specialists on the ground across the country and offer life changing support and information. The Brainstrust have recently opened an operation in the Midlands. Suggested by Steve Simpson; one of the winners of this years “Excellent Customer Service” awards nominated by clients.

David McIntosh, Head of Operations at ShareGift said “We are again delighted to make another round of donations to charities suggested by Platform Securities staff. Platform’s generous donation of time and services as our custodians, and the continuing hard work of Platform’s staff in administering our portfolio, is vital to what we do.”

Nigel Reynolds, CEO Platform Securities, said “It means a huge amount to us that ShareGift trust us with their assets. We have a strong focus on Corporate Social Responsibility – in addition to our partnership with ShareGift, we offer all staff a day of paid leave to engage in Corporate Social Responsibility opportunities. Giving back is part of who we are – and we are proud to partner with several local charities in this regard.”

Platform Securities LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales under No. OC301316. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), (FCA firm reference number 214206). A member of the London Stock Exchange and an ISA plan manager